Force India Canadian Grand Prix Preview

(Sahara Force India Formula One Team)

The Sahara Force India Formula One Team head to this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal having scored yet another points finish last time out in Monte Carlo where Nico Hulkenberg finished the race in 5th place just ahead of Jenson Button. The German is in fifth place in the Driver's championship just seven point's behind Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo. 

It was a disappointing race for Sergio Perez however as the Mexican retired from the race following an accident on the first lap. The Silverstone based outfit have scored point's in every Grand Prix so far this season including Sergio Perez's podium finish in third place at the Bahrain Grand Prix. 

Speaking ahead of the race this weekend team principal Dr Vijay Mallya said:

'The car was competitive. We qualified tenth and eleventh, but we felt we could have qualified a few tenths better, which would have put us into sixth or seventh on the grid. Nico drove the car wonderfully well; he conserved the tyres when he had to and defended brilliantly at the end. On the supersofts we did over 50 laps, which is quite incredible. It’s just a shame Sergio’s afternoon was so short: I would have liked to see what he could have done too.'

When asked about the teams result in Monaco last weekend. Speaking about the teams current fight for fourth place in the Constructors championship Mallya said:

'The battle for fourth place is going to be intense as the season develops, but at the moment we are firmly in fourth with 15 points advantage over fifth place. We are now a third of the way into the season and we’ve shown that we have a car that can constantly deliver whatever the track. We’ve been in the points in every race, which is very motivating for everyone in the team and helps pump us up even more. There are some strong teams behind us, but we are holding our own and will continue pushing hard.'

Mallya was also asked about how he expects the team to get on this weekend and said:

'It should be a good one for us. However, gone are the days when you can hope to have results simply based on what tracks should suit you. This game has changed too much. There are so many variables in racing that we don’t take anything for granted. For example, the weather often plays a role in Montreal and that could reset everything.'

Nico Hulkenberg was asked about his strong start to the 2014 season and the German said:

'It’s my best run of results in Formula One and I’m really enjoying the racing. I’ve said many times that consistency is our strength and we showed that again in Monaco with another fifth place. Monaco was not our strongest track, or our weakest track, but we still brought the car home for a great result.'

Hulkenberg was asked about the closing stages of the Monaco Grand Prix and whether he felt it was difficult to hold onto fifth place in the closing stages of the race:

'It was such a hard race. There was pressure from behind and my tyres were gone. Just keeping the car out of the wall was difficult. So it was a big relief to keep Jenson behind. I was shouting over the radio when I crossed the finish line because it was such a satisfying result for everyone in the team.'

The Hulk was also asked about his expectations for the Canadian Grand Prix.

'It’s difficult to say how we will perform in Montreal. In theory it should be one of the better tracks for us, but things change from race to race. It’s good that we have the soft and supersoft tyres again because I think the softer tyres are more suited to our car. As an overall event the Canadian Grand Prix is one of my favourites because of the buzz around the city and the unusual track. To get a quick lap you need good top speed, a car that can attack the curbs and you also have to be brave enough to get close to the walls.'

 

Sergio Perez heads to the Canadian Grand Prix hoping to resume point scoring for the team following his retirement from the race in Monaco. He said:

'I really enjoy racing in Canada; it’s a very nice circuit which is quick and technical. It feels a little bit like a home race for me because it’s not too far from Mexico and there are always quite a few Mexican fans at the race. It’s a very cool city as well with a touch of Europe in the American continent, and the food is just amazing.'

The Mexican has a good record in Canada having secured a third place finish here in 2012, he said:

'I have very good memories from Montreal. In 2012 I started at the back of the grid and managed to finish in third place. It was an amazing race and my one-stop strategy worked perfectly. It was my second podium in Formula One and a great feeling - one I hope to experience again soon.

He was also asked about the layout of the track:

'It’s another track where you need good top speed and traction from the slow corners. You also have to maximise the limits of the track to be quick and get really close to the walls, so it’s easy to make a mistake. It’s hard to overtake there, but the final chicane is definitely the best opportunity. As a track, it should be suited to the strengths of our car so we have to maximise this opportunity.'

He concluded by saying:

'After a very disappointing race in Monaco, I just want to get back in the car and get the best possible result for my team. Points will be the target.'

©Ben Johnston 2014